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Tina Turner performs at a concert in Versailles, France, in 1990.
Tina Turner performs at a concert in Versailles, France, in 1990.
ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Entertainment

Tina Turner’s life in pictures

Updated 9:54 AM EDT, Thu May 25, 2023
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Tina Turner, the dynamic rock and soul singer who rose from humble beginnings and overcame a notoriously abusive marriage to become one of the most popular female artists of all time, died at the age of 83, her family announced on Wednesday, May 24.

Turner's talent earned her acclaim as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," while her resiliency made her a hero to battered women everywhere.

Turner and her first husband, Ike, had a string of R&B hits together in the 1960s and early '70s. But after enduring more than a decade of physical abuse, she left him — fleeing their Dallas hotel room with a Mobil credit card and "a quarter, a dime and a penny," she wrote in her book.

Her solo career floundered until the 1984 release of her multiplatinum album "Private Dancer" and its No. 1 hit, "What's Love Got to Do With It." She then became a global superstar.

Turner performs with her husband, Ike Turner, in 1964. He recruited her at age 17 to join his band as a singer.
Turner performs with her husband, Ike Turner, in 1964. He recruited her at age 17 to join his band as a singer.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Turner poses for portraits in 1964. Tina was her stage name. She was born Anna Mae Bullock near Nutbush, Tennessee, in 1939.
Turner poses for portraits in 1964. Tina was her stage name. She was born Anna Mae Bullock near Nutbush, Tennessee, in 1939.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Ike and Tina, seen here in 1966, were married in 1962. They raised four children, including two children from Ike's previous relationships and Tina's son, Craig, also from a previous relationship.
Ike and Tina, seen here in 1966, were married in 1962. They raised four children, including two children from Ike's previous relationships and Tina's son, Craig, also from a previous relationship.
GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images
The Turners perform at a TV recording in London in 1966. Tina sang lead on most of their songs while her husband remained in the background, usually on guitar. Offstage, their marriage remained tumultuous.
The Turners perform at a TV recording in London in 1966. Tina sang lead on most of their songs while her husband remained in the background, usually on guitar. Offstage, their marriage remained tumultuous.
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
Turner sings during a recording session circa 1969.
Turner sings during a recording session circa 1969.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Turner poses on a velvet sofa in Paris in 1971.
Turner poses on a velvet sofa in Paris in 1971.
Patrice Habans/Paris Match/Getty Images
Ike and Tina pose for a portrait with their children circa 1972. Standing with Ike, from left, are Ike Turner Jr. and Craig Hill. Sitting with Tina, from left, are Michael and Ronnie Turner.
Ike and Tina pose for a portrait with their children circa 1972. Standing with Ike, from left, are Ike Turner Jr. and Craig Hill. Sitting with Tina, from left, are Michael and Ronnie Turner.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Turner holds a syringe in a scene from the movie "Tommy" in 1975.
Turner holds a syringe in a scene from the movie "Tommy" in 1975.
Columbia TriStar/Moviepix/Getty Images
Turner wears a winged costume in 1977.
Turner wears a winged costume in 1977.
Harry Langdon/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Turner appears on an episode of "Laugh-In" with actor Ben Powers, left, and comedian Wayland Flowers in 1978.
Turner appears on an episode of "Laugh-In" with actor Ben Powers, left, and comedian Wayland Flowers in 1978.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Turner and artist Andy Warhol share watermelon in 1981.
Turner and artist Andy Warhol share watermelon in 1981.
Adam Scull/PHOTOlink/MediaPunch/AP
Turner and dancers perform in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1982.
Turner and dancers perform in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1982.
Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Turner appears on David Letterman's late-night talk show in 1984.
Turner appears on David Letterman's late-night talk show in 1984.
R. M. Lewis Jr./NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Turner performs "What's Love Got to Do With It," a hit song from her 1984 album "Private Dancer." Although she didn't like the song at first and had to be talked into recording it, it made her, at 44, the oldest female artist to score a No. 1 hit.
Turner performs "What's Love Got to Do With It," a hit song from her 1984 album "Private Dancer." Although she didn't like the song at first and had to be talked into recording it, it made her, at 44, the oldest female artist to score a No. 1 hit.
Phil Ramey/AP
Turner stars in the the film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" in 1985.
Turner stars in the the film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" in 1985.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Turner shares a laugh with Lionel Richie as they celebrate their Grammy Award wins in 1985. She won three Grammys that year, including record of the year for "What's Love Got to Do With It."
Turner shares a laugh with Lionel Richie as they celebrate their Grammy Award wins in 1985. She won three Grammys that year, including record of the year for "What's Love Got to Do With It."
Nick Ut/AP
Turner poses for a portrait in 1985.
Turner poses for a portrait in 1985.
Denize Alain/Sygma/Getty Images
Turner performs at a "Private Dancer" concert in London in 1985.
Turner performs at a "Private Dancer" concert in London in 1985.
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock
Turner and Cher circa 1985.
Turner and Cher circa 1985.
Images Press/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Turner was among the many artists who teamed up for the charity song "We Are the World" in 1985. She's on the far left in the second row.
Turner was among the many artists who teamed up for the charity song "We Are the World" in 1985. She's on the far left in the second row.
Everett Collection
Turner performs with Mick Jagger at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in 1985.
Turner performs with Mick Jagger at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in 1985.
Rusty Kennedy/AP
Turner receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986.
Turner receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Turner dances on the streets of Rio de Janeiro with traditional Carnival performers in 1987. She was in Brazil as part of her world tour.
Turner dances on the streets of Rio de Janeiro with traditional Carnival performers in 1987. She was in Brazil as part of her world tour.
Evandro Teixere/AP
Turner sits on a soccer field in Rio de Janeiro in 1988.
Turner sits on a soccer field in Rio de Janeiro in 1988.
Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes Turner's hand after a performance in London in 1989.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes Turner's hand after a performance in London in 1989.
PA Images/Getty Images
Turner performs in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1990.
Turner performs in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1990.
Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Turner poses in front of Woburn Abbey as she tours England in 1990.
Turner poses in front of Woburn Abbey as she tours England in 1990.
Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Turner, left, and actress Angela Bassett rehearse a performance as Bassett portrayed her in the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do With It." Bassett was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe Award for best actress.
Turner, left, and actress Angela Bassett rehearse a performance as Bassett portrayed her in the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do With It." Bassett was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe Award for best actress.
D Stevens/Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
Turner gets ready for a show backstage at New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1993.
Turner gets ready for a show backstage at New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1993.
Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Turner and actor Bruce Willis rehearse before a show in Paris in 1996. Willis and his group The Accelerators were opening for Turner.
Turner and actor Bruce Willis rehearse before a show in Paris in 1996. Willis and his group The Accelerators were opening for Turner.
David M. Benett/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Turner appears in a skit with Molly Shannon during an episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1997.
Turner appears in a skit with Molly Shannon during an episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1997.
Everett Collection
Turner performs in Tinley Park, Illinois, in 1997.
Turner performs in Tinley Park, Illinois, in 1997.
Paul Natkin/Getty Images
Turner performs as part of the Super Bowl pregame show in 2000.
Turner performs as part of the Super Bowl pregame show in 2000.
Paul Spinelli/AP
Turner embraces Oprah Winfrey during the launch party for Winfrey's O Magazine in 2000.
Turner embraces Oprah Winfrey during the launch party for Winfrey's O Magazine in 2000.
KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images
President George W. Bush congratulates Turner during a White House reception for Kennedy Center honorees in 2005. Other honorees, from left, are singer Tony Bennett, dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris and actor Robert Redford.
President George W. Bush congratulates Turner during a White House reception for Kennedy Center honorees in 2005. Other honorees, from left, are singer Tony Bennett, dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris and actor Robert Redford.
Eric Draper/The White House/AP
Turner performs with Beyoncé at the Grammy Awards in 2008.
Turner performs with Beyoncé at the Grammy Awards in 2008.
Kevork Djansezian/AP
Turner kicks off a tour in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2008.
Turner kicks off a tour in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2008.
Orlin Wagner/AP
Turner, center, takes a bow with actors Daniel J. Watts and Adrienne Warren on the opening night of the Broadway musical "Tina" in 2019.
Turner, center, takes a bow with actors Daniel J. Watts and Adrienne Warren on the opening night of the Broadway musical "Tina" in 2019.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Turner is photographed at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, in 2019. Turner moved to Switzerland in the 1990s with German boyfriend Erwin Bach, an executive for her record company who she later married.
Turner is photographed at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, in 2019. Turner moved to Switzerland in the 1990s with German boyfriend Erwin Bach, an executive for her record company who she later married.
Charlie Gates/The New York Times/Redux
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